Teen Whitchurch golfer Lauren Crump wins Rose Ladies event

Sixteen-year-old Lauren Crump won the Rose Ladies Series event at Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club on Wednesday, stunning the field with a composed score of 70 – two under par.

A member of Hill Valley Golf Club, Lauren finished ahead of a field packed with professional players including German golfer Laura Fuenfstueck and Bishop Auckland’s Jessica Hall, who tied for second place on one under par.

Lauren Crump said: "It feels pretty amazing.

"Obviously I won the Justin Rose Junior Telegraph Championship at the end of last year so I knew I could give it a good shot.

"West Lancs was my first professional event and I went there to gain experience.

"I came into this event thinking that I beat some really good players on Monday, and even though there was a much tougher field at S&A, I felt like I could still do it."

The rising star, who recorded four birdies during her round, credited her preparation and disciplined approach for the win.

She said: "My caddie and I went through strategic play in the practice round, giving myself good shots and playing for the wind, and I definitely stuck to that method throughout.

"When I got to 2-under through nine, I thought if I could keep it steady on the back-nine, there was a chance of me finishing top-five or even winning."

Lauren remained composed even after dropping a shot on the closing stretch.

She said: "I had one dropped shot but I told myself there were some easy birdie holes coming up and that if I stuck to my game-plan, it’d be fine.

"I knew a bogey on the last would probably seal a win, and I hit the worst wedge I’ve ever hit in my entire life.

"My caddy said it was fine and I managed to get it up-and-down for a five and that was enough to seal it."

She will now compete in the Welsh Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship.